Peace, Justice & Forgiveness
The Meaning and Significance of Peace
Peace is more than simply the absence of war. For religious believers, peace refers to a deep sense of harmony — between individuals, communities and nations. Both Christianity and Islam teach that peace is a central goal of human life and that believers have a duty to work towards it.
Christians believe that Jesus taught a message of peace throughout his ministry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This teaching shows that God values those who actively work to create peace, not simply those who avoid conflict.
In Islam, one of Allah’s 99 names is As-Salaam, meaning “the source of peace.” Muslims greet each other with “salaam alaikum” — “peace be upon you” — reinforcing the idea that peace is woven into everyday Muslim life. The Qur’an teaches that Allah created humanity to live in peace and harmony.
Christianity: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Islam: One of Allah’s 99 names is As-Salaam (“the source of peace”). Both religions teach that peace is a central value and that believers should work actively to promote it.
Justice, Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Justice means ensuring fairness and upholding what is morally right. Religious believers see justice as a divine quality — God is just, and humans should reflect this in their treatment of others. Christians believe that God commands justice: “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). In Islam, the Qur’an repeatedly instructs Muslims to act justly, even towards those they dislike: “Be just; that is nearer to righteousness” (Qur’an 5:8).
Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone who has done wrong and choosing not to hold resentment. Christianity places forgiveness at the heart of its teaching. Jesus said: “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). On the cross, Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
In Islam, Allah is described as “the most merciful” (Ar-Rahman) and “the most forgiving” (Al-Ghaffar). Muslims are encouraged to forgive others because Allah forgives those who forgive. The Qur’an teaches: “Whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah” (42:40).
Reconciliation goes beyond forgiveness — it means restoring a broken relationship and rebuilding trust. While forgiveness is a personal decision, reconciliation requires both sides to work together. Christians see reconciliation as central to their faith: God reconciled humanity to himself through Jesus’s death on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18–19).
Violence means using physical force to cause harm. Some people use violent protest to try to bring about political or social change — for example, fighting with police, destroying property or setting off explosives. UK law allows peaceful protest but prohibits violent protest.
Christianity teaches non-violence. Jesus instructed his followers: “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” (Matthew 5:39). However, some Christians accept that violence may sometimes be a last resort when all peaceful options have failed. In Islam, violence is generally forbidden, but the Qur’an permits self-defence: “Those who have been attacked are permitted to take up arms” (Qur’an 22:39).
Terrorism is the use of violence against innocent people to create fear and force political change. It is condemned by all mainstream religious traditions. Christianity teaches that every human life is sacred (“sanctity of life”), and Islam states: “Do not take life, which God has made sacred” (Qur’an 6:151).
Some extremist groups claim religious justification for terrorism, but the vast majority of religious believers reject this. Malala Yousafzai, a Muslim education activist shot by the Taliban, demonstrated that faith inspires peace, not violence: “With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.” Desmond Tutu, a Christian archbishop, opposed apartheid in South Africa without violence and later led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which put forgiveness before revenge.
Contrasting Beliefs on Violence
Christians and Muslims share many views on violence, but there are important differences in emphasis. Most Christians follow Jesus’s teaching to “turn the other cheek” and believe violence should be avoided wherever possible. The Quaker tradition (Society of Friends) takes an absolute pacifist stance, rejecting all forms of violence.
In Islam, the concept of lesser jihad permits armed struggle in defence of Islam, but only under strict conditions — it must be declared by a legitimate authority, be proportionate, and be a last resort. The majority of Muslims reject violence as a tool for spreading faith, emphasising that “there is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256). The key contrast is that Christianity has a stronger tradition of absolute pacifism (through groups like the Quakers), while Islam more explicitly permits defensive violence under strict conditions — but both religions agree that peace should always be the primary goal.